Environmental Justice and Equity Issues for Proposed Peoria Distillery TIF
Southside Peoria leaders spoke out at a press conference February 22nd on concerns for the city of Peoria tax increment financing (TIF) district that includes the BioUrja ethanol plant. Concerns include the plant could use TIF funding for site work related to installing carbon capture/sequestration and a CO2 pipeline or site preparation for these.
Illinois Legislative Lobby Days Opportunities Ahead
On Tuesday, March 26th, volunteers from clean energy, environmental, faith-based, farm families, social justice, and other interest groups will head to Springfield to visit with their state representatives and senators, in support of new legislation on carbon capture and sequestration and CO2 pipelines.
Finding Common Cause: HOI Group Partners with Oak Brook Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited shares many of the same values that are ingrained within the Sierra Club. This article provides a brief summary of Trout Unlimited’s national organization along with highlights of the local Oak Brook chapter.
April Is Earth Month: What Will You Do?
Spring is coming and with that the annual Forest Park Nature Center Earth Day celebration which will be Saturday, April 20th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please stop by and say hi at the Heart of Illinois Group table that day and let us know what your interests are. A variety of other events will be happening throughout the month.
Macroinvertebrate Monitoring in Small Streams
One of the overlooked aspects of Mother Nature is the creatures that live in the small streams. Yet the presence and the relative population of these creatures is an indication of the health and quality of the water. The Illinois RiverWatch, a citizen scientist program, will offer a one-day training session in Peoria on Sunday, April 21st, on how to conduct scientifically valid surveys of aquatic creatures.
| HOI Group Meetings and Events |
Planning for 300+ Square Miles of the Kickapoo Creek Watershed » |
Forest Park Nature Center and VIRTUAL |
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Reema Abi-Akar, Senior Planner for the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, will walk through the initial phases of the newly started Kickapoo Creek watershed-based planning process. While Kickapoo Creek community advocates have conducted informal, on-the-ground work on this watershed for years, this upcoming project from the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission seeks to formalize their efforts. Along with local groups and consultant Baxter and Woodman, the project team hopes to gather data in the watershed, pinpoint key issues to address, lay out recommendations for future improvements, and explore funding options to do so. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a meet-and-greet, with the program starting at 7 p.m. Registration required for the virtual meeting. |
Turn to Nature for Hope and Peace:
Strength for the New Year Ahead
Whatever you are facing, take time to move yourself outside into nature and pause to watch around you. We are gifted each day with sky, trees, or even little furry beings that can give us a sense of wonder, peace, or joy. Savor those moments. Whatever you face, know that taking a pause and getting outside for a walk, hugging a tree, or a view of the horizon, might give you comfort.
Thank You to Each and Every Heart of Illinois Group Sierra member! Your membership and support does mean one more person is being a part of the efforts. Please know you are appreciated!
- Joyce Blumenshine